Rock picker

ABSTRACT

A MECHANICAL TONG FOR USE IN PICKING UP ROCKS, STICKS, PAPER, WALNUTS OR THE LIKE, THE DEVICE COMPRISING AN ELONGAGED HANDLE SO AS TO ELIMINATE THE NECESSITY FOR A PERSON TO BEND OVER, A FIXED JAW AND A MOVABLE JAW AT ONE END OF THE HANDLE, THE MOVEABLE JAW BEING OPERATED BY A PULL CHAIN CONNECTED NEAR THE UPPER END OF THE HANDLE.

' F- S. WOMACK Feb. 23; 1971 ROCK PIGKER Filed Dec. 19, 1968 'm/ VEA/ 7-0,?

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United States Patent Ofice Patented Feb. 23, 1971 3,565,479 ROCK PICKER Fay S. Womack, 3607 S. Elm View Drive, Springfield, Mo. 65804 Filed Dec. 19, 1968, Ser. No. 785,297 Int. Cl. A47f 13/06 US. Cl. 294-19 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A mechanical tong for use in picking up rocks, sticks, paper, Walnuts or the like, the device comprising an elongated handle so as to eliminate the necessity for a person to bend over, a fixed jaw and a movable jaw at one end of the handle, the movable jaw being operated by a pull chain connected near the upper end of the handle.

This invention relates generally to instruments for picking up various objects from the ground surface.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a rock picker which will permit a person to pick up rocks, sticks, paper, walnuts, or the like without the necessity of a person bending over for accomplishing the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rock picker which is particularly adaptable for use in cleaning up a yard, garden, field or other place where loose objects may be strewn about.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rock picker including a long handle having an arm rest at the upper end thereof which will serve as a guide in holding and manipulating the handle.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a rock picker including a stationary jaw and a movable jaw, the movable jaw being operated by means of a chain connected at one end to the upper portion of the handle.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a rock picker which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and eflicient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in operative use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stationary jaw, and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the movable aw.

Referring now the drawing in detail, the reference numeral represents a rock picker according to the present invention wherein there is an elongated handle 11 which may be of approximately 54 inches in length, the handle having a generally U-shaped arm rest 12 near the upper end of the handle, the arm rest being made either of light weight metal such as aluminum or steel and secured in a transverse extending direction across the handle 11. The same may be secured by means of screws or other similar securing means.

The opposite end of the handle 11 is slightly arched upwardly and is provided with a stationary jaw 13 secured to the under side thereof by means of a flat head stove bolt 14 or the like. The stationary jaw, shown in detail in FIG. 2, of the drawing includes an angle configurated arm 15 made preferably from fiat steel of approximately inch wide and 4; inch thickness. The member 15 includes a horizontal portion 16 and a vertical portion 17, the portion 16 having a central opening 18 for receiving stove bolt 14. A steel plate 19 of square configuration is provided with a pair of rear-wardly bent upper tabs 20 which fit around each side edge 21 of the arm 15 so to prevent rotation thereof respective thereto. The plate 19 is otherwise secured to the arm by means of a flat head stove bolt 22 which extends through both of the parts.

The movable jaw 23 includes a pair of levers 24 secured together by a pair of stove bolts 24A which are centrally pivotable about a hex head machine bolt 25 extending transversely through the handle 11, one end of the levers having an opening 26 for being connected to one end of a chain 27, the opposite end of the chain being connected to an eye-bolt 28 secured near the upper portion of the handle 11. A hand grasp or hand hold 29 is secured within an intermediate portion of the chain 27 for purpose of conveniently being grasped by an arm 30 of a workman.

The opposite end of the movable jaw has an angly configurated terminal portion to which there is secured a toothed member 31 which is formed of sheet metal, as shown in 'FIG. 3 of the drawing. The member 31 includes parallel flat, spaced apart sides 32 each of which has a straight edge of teeth 33, the sides 32 being enjoined by means of intermediate walls 34 at an angle relative to each other, each of the walls 34 having an opening 35 therein for purpose of receiving a round head stove bolt 36 for purpose of securement to the lever 24. A lower edge of wall 34 is also provided with teeth 33.

One end of a tension coil spring 37 is secured to an eye bolt 38 mounted upon the movable jaw, the opposite end of the spring being secured to an eye bolt 39 mounted upon the handle 11.

In operative use, an operator places one arm 40 within the saddle 41 of the arm rest 12, and the fingers of the same arm grasps the handle, as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing. He is able to control the movement of the handle. With the other arm, the person places the fingers thereof around the handhold 29 as also shown in the drawing. The tool is then moved over the ground while the workmen stand in an erect position. An object that is desired to be picked up is located between the jaws, and the person then simply pulls on the chain 27 causing the movable jaw to close upon the object thus securing the same between the movable jaw and the fixed jaw 13. Thus a tool has been devised for picking up various kinds of objects from a lawn, garden, field or other place.

I claim:

1. In a rock picker, the combination of an elongated handle, means at one end of said handle for supporting an arm used for holding said handle, means at the opposite end of said handle for grasping an item such as a rock, stick, paper, walnut or the like from the ground surface, the latter means comprising a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, said means for supporting said arm comprising a U-shaped arm rest, said arm rest having a U-shaped saddle for receiving therein the forearm near the elbow portion, the hand of said arm grasping said handle, said arm rest being mounted transversely across said handle, said stationary jaw comprising an angle configurated arm made of steel, said arm having a horizontal portion secured by means of bolts to said handle, said arm having a vertical portion to which a flat plate is secured to form a base of said fixed jaw, said fiat plate being secured by a single bolt to said arm, said flat plate having a pair of tabs inclined at an angle, each of said tabs being adjacent a side edge of said arm, said movable jaw comprising a pair of levers, said levers being centrally pivotable about a bolt extending transversely through said arm, one end of said levers being provided with an opening for being connected to one angled terminal end to which a toothed member is secured by means of bolts, said toothed member including rows of teeth for engagement with an object to be positioned between said jaws and grasped thereby, and said ends of said levers carrying said toothed member being connected to one end of a tension coil spring secured at its other end to an eye bolt fastened upon said handle.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,989,334 6/1961 Browne 294l9 3,264,028 8/1966 Rasmussen 294l9 3,377,095 4/1968 Allen 294-19 EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner D. D. WATTS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

